POLICE RAID PET STORE

OAKLAND PARK -- Police forced their way into a pet store on Monday after neighbors complained that the animals did not have any water and appeared to be suffering.

Officers entered PET, PET, PET II on Commercial Boulevard through a rear window after they were unable to find the owner, Derek Sabater, who was out of town. Police said they found no evidence of neglect, although some of the animals had run out of drinking water.

Dr. Cindi Bossart of Animal Hospital of Fort Lauderdale was called in to examine the puppies, who were in cages near a sunlit window. She said the puppies appeared overheated.

An employee arrived after police and Bossart had given the animals water. Neighbors who called police said they were afraid the puppies displayed in front of the store were near death.

"The people did what they thought was right," Sgt. Tom Stempkowski said.

The employee told police that someone was scheduled to check on the animals late Monday afternoon.